Pregnancy centers in Baltimore are fighting against a proposed ordinance.
The ordinance would require centers to post signs saying they do not perform abortions or provide birth-control information, but refer patients to other sources that do. Carol Clews, executive director of the Greater Baltimore Centers for Pregnancy Concerns, believes this ordinance is a stab at the pro-life movement. "It impugns our integrity," she argues. "I feel that it is totally unnecessary, and I feel that it's a form of harassment." Clews says the information the law would require is already in bold print on the client intake sheet, so it makes no sense to require a sign in the window. The proposal holds the support of Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL). Clews believes that is because her pregnancy centers are doing a good job at saving lives, which cuts into Planned Parenthood's profit margin. "We do see in Baltimore city alone...about a thousand clients a year, and our help line takes well over 5,000 calls every year. And this year, it's going to be a lot more than that, so we are pretty successful...," she concludes. Thirty-eight testimonies were presented before a city council committee concerning the ordinance, and most were against the proposal. However, Clews believes the panel is leaning in favor of it. But that could change, she believes, with a heavy amount of public pressure.
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